Ancient+Egyptian+Beauty

Ancient Egyptian vanity was common for both sexes. Women as well as men made sure their appearances were fit for any occasion. Although makeup and other types of vanity are seen as optional today, the Ancient Egyptians believed that it protected the ka. Hair pieces served practical and religious purposes. The styles and trends of the Ancient Egyptians have projected through to today's modernized culture, and it can been seen in everyday life.


 * Makeup
 * eye:
 * eyeliner ingredients:
 * Udju: produced from green malachite from Sinai
 * Mesdemet: dark gray ore of lead producted from stibnite or galena
 * eyeliner preparation:
 * Eyeliner was in powder form at first. Then after it was mixed with animal fat, the eyeliner changed into liquid form. This new mixture stayed better on the eye, especially on long, hot days.
 * tools: palettes, grinders, applicators, & storage containers.
 * The materials used for eyeliner was the same for the rich and poor. The contrast was in the containers and the applicators. The rich had containers made of ivory or metals. The rest used leather pouches or items such as hollow reeds.
 * properties of eye makeup:
 * Galena has fly-deterrent and disinfectant properties.
 * Ancient Egyptians also believed it protected them from Evil Eye.
 * Unprotected eyes=people vunerable to Evil Eye
 * eye makeup in modern world:
 * Check every makeup aisle. There will be a diverse selection of eyeliners. From pencils to liquid liner, eyeliner is still used today by millions of women. Just recently the style of colored eyeliners became more popular. Also, the distinct winged style the Ancient Egyptians used can be seen on runways, cities, and schools today. Women and young girls in today's society can thank the Ancient Egyptians for the eyeliner pencil in their makeup bags.


 * rouge & lipstick:
 * red ochre was mixed with water to produce blush & lipstain
 * Skin:
 * perfume:
 * very expensive
 * popular with the rich & foreigners
 * production:
 * created with flowers (usually ones from the banks of the Nile) mixed with either animal fat or oils
 * mixture was heated until scent transferred onto fat or oils
 * good smells were associated with the gods, so the Egyptians followed suit
 * bottles & containers:
 * perfume usually stored in stone, glass or alabastor
 * bottles were bejewelled and decorated
 * connection to today's world:
 * perfumer's based perfuming techniques on the work of Ancient Egyptians
 * even the bottles today have to be aesthetically pleasing to the consumer's eye
 * skin maintenance:
 * water mixed with Natron created cleansing paste used on skin
 * soap was available
 * oils were used to keep skin hydrated
 * secret beauty tips like milk baths, aloe vera, facial masks existed during Ancient Egyptian times


 * Hair:
 * In general, men and women shaved their hair for practical purposes. It was easier for people to shave off their heads because of the hot desert sun. They also removed hair because of their view on cleanliness. It was more practical to remove their hair than have to deal with lice. Wigs on the other hand were very common, and had diversified purposes. Hair styles like fashion, changed with the times, and pictorial depictions of the Ancient Egyptians differed as time passed.
 * styles:
 * men:
 * shaved off all their hair
 * could have mustaches or goatees
 * women:
 * some shaved their hair
 * others grew their hair long, and braided it
 * children:
 * boys:
 * shaved off all hair
 * or had a braided lock of hair on one side
 * girls:
 * had pigtails or braids
 * hair removal:
 * shaving:
 * had bronze & copper razors
 * depilatory concoctions:
 * ingredients: crushed bird bones, oil, gum, & sycamore juice
 * depilatory creams were heated & applied
 * after it cooled, the layer along with the hair was pulled off
 * tweezers
 * available for individual hairs
 * wigs:
 * very popular & fashionable
 * made of real human hair or palm fibers
 * hid imperfections
 * hid baldness
 * hair dying:
 * used henna to color hair black
 * juniper berries darkened hair
 * popular since gray hair was deemed bad
 * modern twist to hair:
 * Billions on dollars are spent every year on hair maintenance. People have adopted all the hair removal methods the Egyptians used thousands of years ago. Also, modern hair dyes are based on the first inventions of the Ancient Egyptians. Primitive versions of hair salons were the base for the modern billion-dollar industry of hair care, so people in today's society can relate to the Ancient Egyptians for their revolutionary ways of updating hair styles and trends.

Credits: http://www.touregypt.net/magazine/mag09012000/mag4.htm http://www.egyptmonth.com/mag08012000/mag4.htm __http://www2.sptimes.com/Egypt/EgyptCredit.4.2.html____________ http://www.all-about-egypt.com/perfume-egypt.html__ __http://living.oneindia.in/beauty/skin-n-body-care/ancient-egypt.html__  __http://www.touregypt.net/mag07012000/mag4.htm__  __http://nefertiti.iwebland.com/timelines/topics/cosmetics.htm__ 